Guest column: In support of sanctions against Cuba

Monday

Aug 26, 2013 at 3:01 PM

Recently, this newspaper misquoted my position on the Cuban embargo.

I ardently support the embargo. Abused and weakened, it needs renewed commitment

The embargo debate often hinges on misinformation, ignorance and emotion rather than the critical principles it represents. Those who understand the situation in Cuba, including Cubans, support the embargo.

The embargo began as an executive order in October 1960 after the confiscation of American and Cuban property in Cuba. It is now codified U.S. law establishing sanctions until Cuba resolves these property claims, adopts democratic reforms and respects human rights.

Cuba has yet to indemnify Americans and refuses to compensate Cuban nationals. Undeniably, most property in Cuba is stolen.

The embargo represents sanctions against Cuba for many hostilities over five decades. During the Cold War, Cuba, through Soviet subsidies, fought the U.S. from Vietnam to the Congo to the Americas. Coupled with the threat of nuclear holocaust, the embargo was never seriously questioned.

EMBARGO WEAKENED

The collapse of the Soviet Union exposed the abject failings of Cuban socialism. Only the vices, the pre-revolutionary past, the island's beauty and the indomitable spirit of Cubans remained.

To exploit these and finance what is essentially terrorism against the U.S., Cuba resuscitated the tourist industry.

Rather than apply leverage and negotiate firmly with a vulnerable, yet hostile regime, U.S. sanctions were relaxed, bowing to critics arguing the failure to bring democracy as justification for lifting the embargo, claiming commerce with Cuba would bring change. Through intense lobbying, special interests received exceptions in travel, remittances and no-bid, "cash up front" agricultural and medical sales.

We are now one of Cuba's largest partners, joining the 200 countries already trading with Cuba. Yet poverty and repression worsen. Why?

Unfortunately, trading with Cuba is trading with Cuba's ruling oligarchs, the military dictatorship that literally owns the tourist industry. U.S. trade doesn't support the purported gains of revolution or Cubans, only the oligarchs.

Prosperity stems from property rights, which include civil rights, define human rights and promote competition though non-violence. The rule of law is maintained through contract sanctity, an independent judiciary and transparent enforcement/regulatory agencies. These protect clear title to property. These don't exist in Cuba.

Incarceration of foreigners continues today. Thankfully, the embargo has protected American businesses.

ONLY OLIGARCHS BENEFIT

International condemnation of the embargo is baffling considering Cuba's billions of dollars in outstanding and defaulted debt to these nations. More than half of the 400 foreign businesses have left Cuba. Arbitrary confiscation of foreign assets continues today.

That lifting the embargo will foster the necessary conditions to bring democracy, protect property and promote commerce is illogical. Abandoning sanctions does the opposite: It explicitly forgives and condones theft, trafficking in stolen property and corruption.

This harms everyone except Cuba's oligarchs, who manipulate unprincipled U.S. politicians and public opinion.

These oligarchs are not committed to protecting property, save their own, much less rights. They are completely unaccountable; except to sanctions."

Finally, Cubans understand what prohibits their free speech, assembly, travel, access to the tourist sector replete with American goods and robs their work product: Cuba's military dictatorship, not the embargo. Repression is required to defend the unjustifiable.

Cubans also realize U.S. trade benefits their repressors, strengthening the real embargo of Cuba: of rights, goods and services by these oligarchs against the Cuban people.

Sanctions are critical diplomatic tools. Steadfastly applied, as with Burma and South Africa, they work. Defending the rule of law, not capitulating to dictators, will bring prosperity for Cuba.

Javier Garcia-Bengochea y Bolivar is a Jacksonville neurosurgeon.

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